PM Meles Zenawi Asres 8 May 1955 – 20 August 2012 ::

Meles Zenawi Asres መለስ ዜናዊ አስረስ 8 May 1955 – 20 August 2012) was the Prime Minister of Ethiopiafrom 1995 until his death on 20 August 2012.Since 1985, he was the chairman of the Tigrayan Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF), and the head of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). He was President of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995 and became the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in 1995 following the general elections that year. While his government was credited with reforms such as those that lead a multi-party political system in Ethiopia, introduction of private press in Ethiopia and decreased child mortality rates, his government has also come under criticism including for political repression, and various human rights abuses.

In early 2004, Meles Zenawi received medical treatment in the UK for an unspecified condition. Flanked by numerous UK police officers and diplomatic protection officers he was observed at the Parkside Hospital in southwest London, a private hospital staffed by numerous specialist consultants.

Education and personal life

Meles Zenawi acquired an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the Open University of the United Kingdom in 1995 and an MSc. (Masters of Science) in Economics from the Erasmus University of the Netherlands in 2004 In July 2002 Meles received an honorary doctoral degree in political science from the Hannam University in South Korea.

Meles Zenawi was married to Azeb Mesfin and was the father of three children. Azeb Mesfin is now the chair of the Social Affairs Standing Committee of Parliament, and in January 2007, she was given the “Legacy of a Dream” award for her leadership against HIV/AIDS during a ceremony held in memory of America’s civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King.In addition, Azeb Mesfin and various government agencies have addressed child mortality issues in Ethiopia. According to UNICEF, the child mortality rate in Ethiopia has declined by 40% since the current ruling party took office.